JOLIET – The Will County Health Department has been named a Gold Fit-Friendly Worksite by the American Heart Association based upon outstanding workplace health. The annual award recognizes exceptional activities that promote health and well-being for employees.

Policy for Shared Living Facilities

Smoke-free housing policies
benefit the health and the safety of residents by eliminating dangerous
chemicals emitted by secondhand and thirdhand smoke. Other benefits include the
reduced risk of building fires and the decreased costs of rehabilitating rental
units.

Educate Teens on the Health Effects of Tobacco Use and Secondhand Smoke

REALITY Illinois is an anti-tobacco campaign developed by Illinois' teens and funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) as part of the Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities Program. The Program's goal is to educate teens on the health effects of tobacco use and secondhand smoke and on how tobacco companies target teens through deceptive advertising and marketing practices.

Programs and Services to Decrease Tobacco Use

The Tobacco Control & Prevention (TC&P) program offers a variety of programs and services to decrease tobacco use rates, to keep youth tobacco-free and to eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke. All programs are open to the Will County community including schools, corporations, and the public. We offer technical assistance and support with the development of tobacco retailer licensing ordinances, tobacco-free parks, worksites, college campus, and housing policies.

Prohibits Smoking inside any Public Place or Place of Employment

On January 1, 2008 all workplaces were required to go smoke free. The Smoke Free Illinois Act prohibits smoking inside any public place or place of employment including but not limited to the following places: bars, restaurants, casinos, bowling alleys, retail stores, elevators, indoor theaters, office buildings, factories, banquet halls, concert halls, nursing homes, schools, private clubs, etc. Smoking is also prohibited within 15 feet from entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes that serve an enclosed area where smoking is prohibited.

New Organic to Grow Vegetables, Promote Wellness

Will County Health Department employees with a green thumb can soon till the soil at work. At least 35 employees have signed up for an innovative program spearheaded by the agency’s employee wellness committee and the University of Illinois Extension.

Community Wide Planning and Coordination

Unlike the seasonal flu, a pandemic flu virus poses a unique threat. Since humans have no previously developed immunity against pandemic flu, this new virus strain puts most people at high risk of infection. The result could be that a large percentage of the world's population becomes infected in a very short period of time.

Local health departments like the WCHD and its Emergency Preparedness Division are responsible for community wide planning for an outbreak of an influenza pandemic. The Will County Health Department has developed a pandemic influenza plan for the county and conducts training meetings and exercises with other agencies to build response capabilities. The department also conducts routine disease surveillance activities which can assist in forecasting and monitoring outbreaks of disease. If an outbreak of pandemic influenza should occur, the WCHD will work closely with other Will County emergency agencies, regional partners and the State of Illinois to manage and distribute antiviral supplies and vaccines, along with carrying out other public health, medical and emergency services.

Summary of Services

The Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Program conducts surveillance on positive cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in Will County. Surveillance efforts follow strict procedures to ensure the confidentiality of STD case reports.

Other services include:

Surveillance and treatment

Confirmed untreated cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis may be treated at the Will County Health Department, free of charge, if services have not been found elsewhere.

To report positive cases of Syphilis, Chlamydia or Gonorrhea, physicians' offices should fax lab results, patient demographics and treatment information to (815)774-4474. This is a CONFIDENTIAL fax line.

Anonymous and confidential partner notification and referral services

To help ensure that you and your partners are aware of potential STD exposure and infection status without disclosing any identifying information.

Educational presentations to schools and other interested community groups

A Program that Promotes Safe and Healthy Children

Healthy Child Care Illinois (HCCI) is a program administered by the State of Illinois to promote safe and healthy childcare. We work in collaboration with the Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency as a resource to providers. A Child Care Nurse Consultant provides training and education to child care providers, parents and children on a variety of topics. These services are available to providers in Will, Kankakee, Kendall and Grundy counties.

Program Eligibility

Services are available for child care centers, licensed and licensed-exempt providers within the four county area (see above). This includes staff, parents and children enrolled in the child care program.

Program Services

Training and education is offered on a variety of health and safety topics. The nurse is also available for telephone consultations to answer any questions a provider may have. Staff trainings and parent education can be scheduled by contacting the nurse consultant at (815) 741-1163 ext. 229. A minimum of five registered participants is required for trainings. Specialized educational sessions on oral health and hand washing can be provided for children. Additional trainings can also be accessed by contacting the CCR&R and requesting their training schedule. Additional services provided include Asthma Awareness Program, Child Passenger Safety Seat Education and Check Lanes, and outdoor safety checks.